The Gilroy Unified School District will ask voters to approve a bond measure on the Nov. 3 ballot to raise $295 million for school and facility improvements.
If approved, the bonds would cost property owners about $59 per $100,000 of assessed value, raising about $18.3 million annually, according to district staff.
The GUSD board of trustees unanimously approved placing the measure on the general election ballot at the May 28 meeting. The vote followed a months-long outreach and research process that included a commissioned survey of voters and a facilities master plan that identifies upgrades, repairs and projects needed throughout the district, which includes 14 school campuses.
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Alvaro Meza said the master plan has identified about $958 million worth of facility needs over the next 10 years. The state of California currently allocates a drop in the bucket for local facilities maintenance—$332,000 per year.
During board discussion, Meza explained that district staff decided to seek $295 million in bonds based on the highest priority needs, and a measure asking for $958 million “would almost absolutely fail” when put to the voters.
“The proposed bond authorization of $295 million, while significantly less than the (Facilities Master Plan needs), will allow the District to address critical needs, build Career Technical Educational pathways, and allow the District to continue to renovate and modernize its aging facilities and infrastructure,” says a staff report from the May 28 meeting.
In January, the board approved a contract with Isom Advisors for $12,500 to conduct a scientific survey of voters to assess what the electorate might support at the polls.
“A bond survey conveyed that a majority of likely voters recognize that good schools increase property values, and would indeed support schools should the board approve a bond measure on the November ballot,” Meza told the board.
The board’s vote included the precise language that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot question.
The measure reads, “To improve the quality of education; construct, upgrade, and modernize classrooms, restrooms, and school facilities; make safety and security improvements; renovate or construct career technical education classrooms; and replace leaky roofs; shall Gilroy Unified School District’s measure authorizing $295,000,000 in bonds, at legal rates, and levying approximately $59 per $100,000 of assessed value (raising $18,300,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, be adopted, with annual audits, independent oversight, NO money for teacher/administrator salaries and all money spent locally?”
The measure requires a minimum 55% “yes” vote for passage.
The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters will conduct the election on behalf of the district.
The board’s approval of a resolution calling for the bond measure also included a specific list of projects to be funded by the $295 million request. Projects are listed at almost every GUSD campus, and include replacing portable classrooms with permanent classrooms; renovating parking lots; restroom renovations; modernizing other classrooms and campus common areas; safety upgrades; installing energy efficient infrastructure; and replacing roofs and fencing.
During the past 20 years, the district has spent more than $622 million on facility projects within GUSD, with funds coming from various sources including bonds previously approved by the voters; state funds; developer fees; and deferred maintenance funds, GUSD staff said.
Voters have approved bond measures in past elections, including the $150 million Measure P in 2008 and the $170 million Measure E in 2016. The bond funds have been key for leveraging additional money from the state and other sources to complete capital and facilities projects, staff said.
